Lugeck — Restaurant in Vienna

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to bring to your attention an unfortunate experience I had at Lugeck. I feel compelled to share this as I felt helpless and seriously mistreated, and upon reading reviews, I realized that similar incidents have happened to others before.

On the evening of October 28, I entered Lugeck with my cousin and his spouse, looking for a table for three. After inquiring about availability, the hostess informed us that she would let us know in a few minutes if a table was ready. Consequently, we began waiting at the designated area outside.

As we waited, a few more people joined the line behind us. At this point, a German-speaking family of five entered the restaurant and spoke with a different waiter. Despite an established queue, this family then began waiting directly in front of us after being asked to wait outside by the waiter. We kindly pointed out that we had been waiting for a while and requested that they join the line like everyone else. However, the family ignored our request, stating that the waiter had instructed them to wait in that specific spot.

The waiter, who was different from the hostess I initially spoke with, seemed insistent on disregarding our position and concerns. This led us to feel as though this treatment was due to our status as foreigners. Subsequently, after letting in a few smaller groups, the waiter admitted the family of five into the restaurant, despite our longer wait time. When we expressed our frustration, the waiter responded dismissively and informed us that he had found a table for us as well, suggesting that our concerns should now be settled.

However, when we further tried to explain our discomfort, his response was dismissive, implying, "We found a table for you; what more do you want?" Eventually, after approximately 15-20 minutes of waiting, he informed us that there was no available seating and ultimately did not allow us into the restaurant.

Despite our patience and understanding, I find myself questioning whether this experience was due to discriminatory practices or merely poor management. After reviewing Google reviews, I discovered that this sort of treatment appears to be a recurring issue, particularly towards individuals who are not from Europe. I would like to urge the management to reassess their staff’s approach to handling patrons at the door.

Thank you for your attention, and please take these matters into consideration if you plan on visiting this...

BAD SERVICE ATTITUDE WARNING.

It was around -3 degrees C outside and we were 4 adults with a 2 year old child. We loved the look of the place and couldn't resist joining the queue that was building up outside (that must be a strong sign of popularity and how good the restaurant must be right 😂)

After almost an hour waiting outside and breathing in second hand cigarette smoke, we were finally next in line but our little one was getting very restless from the long wait. So we asked a waitress if she could tell us how long more we might have to wait. We had realised by then that actually it could be a long one as lots of people had gone past us with reservations in place so they were prioritised, which is only fair. The waitress said she would check and get back to us.

So we waited for her near the front of the restaurant. Her colleague came over and below is a recap of our conversation. (M= male staff, Us = myself and my family)

M: Do you have reservations? Us: No. M: Then why are you standing here? Us: Where should we stand? M: This is an emergency door. You stand outside to wait and we come out to get you. That's how it works. Us: We have been waiting in the cold for almost an hour and our child is distressed. M: That is your decision [to wait]. Us: Will you tell us how long more the wait might be? Even an estimation will help. M: It could be anything from 5 minutes to 2 hours. [In a smug voice] Us: 😲 what?? M: Yes, scream. Just scream.

I admit I did raise my voice somewhat when I said "What?" But it wasn't anywhere near yelling or screaming but honestly I was just shocked at his attitude when we had been trying to be polite all that time and he just gave us this attitude for no apparent reason. Most restaurants would at least give a realistic estimation based on experience and be helpful towards prospective customers with young children.

So we walked out after telling him he was very rude.

Moral of the story: make reservations if you wish to dine here and don't expect much from service (could be just one bad egg of course).

Disclaimer: I gave atmosphere 1 star just as part of an overall low rating - the atmosphere and food looked good to be fair, but I didnt get the chance to try it and the experience leading up to a dinner there would have soured things anyway. Main thing is how offputting the service was - really it doesn't...

During my recent visit to Vienna, I had the pleasure of dining at Lugeck Restaurant, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. As someone who enjoys immersing myself in local cuisine, I made sure to sample an array of Viennese classics, and each dish surpassed my expectations.

The Wiener Schnitzel made of veal was a standout—crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. The Viennese-style minced veal and the glazed veal liver were equally remarkable, bursting with rich, authentic flavors. For sides, I opted for roasted vegetables and a creamy cucumber salad, both of which complemented the main dishes perfectly.

What made my dining experience even more memorable was the exceptional service. The server, noticing my generous order, humorously suggested I might want to pace myself. He quickly deduced I was from the US based on my enthusiastic ordering style! Despite my lean physique, I finished every bite, much to his surprise.

Our conversation added an unexpected layer of enjoyment to the meal. As an electrical engineer working in space systems in the USA, I was delighted to find the server well-versed in topics related to space exploration, NASA, and SpaceX projects. It was refreshing and impressive to engage in such an informed discussion, especially considering the misconceptions about space that are surprisingly common in the US.

The ambiance of Lugeck is another highlight. We opted for outdoor seating, which allowed us to enjoy the beautiful weather and vibrant atmosphere of Vienna. It was the perfect setting for a leisurely meal. The wine selection was excellent as well, perfectly complementing the exquisite food.

In summary, Lugeck Restaurant is a fantastic place to experience the best of Viennese cuisine. The food, service, and ambiance come together to create a truly exceptional dining experience. I highly recommend it to anyone...